Ghost of BRACs Past
The whole community of Ridgecrest is pretty worked up about BRAC and it’s effects on the China Lake base. I think if BRAC does ever actually happen it will only benefit the community. What could possibly be a true negative impact from BRAC? A little bit of traffic maybe; but face it folks, we are really spoiled when it comes to traffic in Ridgecrest and Inyokern. I’ve lived through a BRAC, at the Niagara Falls AFB. For years and YEARS the news was that the base would either be closing down, or going to a different branch of military… in the end it shifted from a Fighter unit to a Refueler unit. There were no changes in population, traffic or property values. My father’s job there turned from Fixing Phantoms to Fixing Refuelers. Either the impending changes will be for the better, or they will be so small as to hardly have an effect on the major population as a whole. Granted, back then I wasn’t a home owner; but I’m pretty tired of hearing all these bad things about BRAC; especially when they involve traffic issues. Ridgecrest, when it comes to traffic we’ve got it GOOD! We should be welcoming new jobs, new money and new families to town… if they do ever come. And we should be prepared for this to take a few more years, because it will.
-Missy Morris
MIssy, I totally agree with you. Ridgecrest needs to do a little bit of growing. There are going to be pains, believe me, but it will be worth it.
I hope more young people will go to the town hall meeting on 03/14 and express interest in growth.
Jill
March 13, 2007
Wouldn’t it be great if the population grew enough that investors would notice that we really need a shopping mall! I’m sure we could support one.
Missy
March 16, 2007
As a transfer from Point Mugu, I didn’t move here for it to grow big enough for traffic problems, high prices, and the crime problems that “bigger city” life brings. We have plenty of places for people to move if they desire shopping centers, fine restaurants, and all the amentities that the bigger cities bring. Let’s not spoil the small town spirit, the freedom of less traffic, and relatively low crime to make Ridgecrest like Lancaster, Camarillo, or Los Angeles. I grew up in Port Hueneme and remember as a child that it was small, uncongested, and friendly, much like Ridgecrest is today and, trust me, you do not want this city to face the same problems Port Hueneme is facing today. Some growth will happen and that’s fine, but there is a big danger in trying to make Ridgecrest into a large enough city to support the ammentities that many think they want.
Barry
April 11, 2007
I’m on both sides of the fence when it comes to town growth. I own a local business that would only benefit from additional growth. From that perspective, growth would be good.
On the other hand….personally, I like the town as it is and really don’t want to see the additional traffic, crime, etc. that will accompany it.
I’m betting that any growth we may see from the BRAC decision will be minimal at best. Because of that, I also believe we are in for another good property value drop once the additional housing that is being built is not filled as anticipated.
Chris
July 14, 2007
I was reading in today’s Daily Independent on-line edition, a letter to the editor regarding BRAC and the writer’s perception that some exceptions to the rules were being made at this late date — post BRAC.
I have to say that I agree with the writer. In my travels through Ridgecrest this past summer, and in talking to some friends that live in the area, it does seem as if some people with power are trying to change the rules, or at least ignore them.
As someone that lives and works on the East Coast for the same NAVAIR, I find this all to be fascinating. Why? Because here, we were also affected by the latest BRAC round. All three Depots were told to reorganize with the AIMD maintenance facilities in their local areas, and become FRCs. We have done this. In fact, within weeks of BRAC’s conclusion, our facility was taking action to complete the BRAC mandates, and there was certainly no move to circumvent, ignore, or change the BRAC orders. Until now, I had never heard of such a thing.
I’ve been through several rounds of BRAC. I’ve never heard of any facility or individuals trying to circumvent, ignore, or change BRAC’s orders.
Over the years, I have lived through some painful BRAC rulings. I personally knew people that committed suicide or lost a spouse to suicide due to the massive changes brought about by BRAC. For example, having to move to a different state because of BRAC. I’ve seen entire facilities staffed by thousands of people COMPLETELY CLOSED. I have seen divorces, depression, and ruined careers because of BRAC. Naval Air Depots at Norfolk, Alameda and Pensacola come to mind. My point? None of these thousands of people that were affected by past BRACs had any chance to get out of it. Top GS-15 managers down to the lowest civilian grade were affected, and they could not change a thing.
So, I’m a little bit shocked and somewhat confused to hear that BRAC’s orders have not been carried out. I’ve often thought there was a different set of rules applied to the “West Coast” Navy than that of the East. I don’t know that, but some of the things that I see and hear are really starting to make me wonder.
So, what’s going on? Can any of you explain in more detail?
Johnny D.
September 19, 2007
I have some opinions for ya:
If you do a Google search on Ridgecrest BRAC, you’ll learn that people in Point Mugu and other places have pretty horrible opinions of China Lake. In some ways I can’t blame them. In my opinion the Gov’t believes that many folks won’t leave Mugu. They’ll retire out, perhaps find other good jobs with prime contractors like Lockheed or Boeing. BRAC can still work for the benefit of China Lake: put the positions here, we’ll get more people, they’ll be young college graduates and young military families who have just finished their active time.
I also think the housing market has ALOT to do with it. If the housing market wasn’t so bad just now, it may be different, but why would a Gov’t employee, close to retirement, sell a $400K home on the coast to move to a $250K home at China Lake? That person could sit on their on home for a few more years, the market would improve, they could sell that home and retire somewhere very inexpensive to live like a king! If the home prices were still under $100K, that cash in hand would be a lot more tempting.
I can also see how a spouse would slow the process. Do you really think those gals are gonna just up and leave beautiful coastal homes and jobs and SHOPPING.
Ridgecrest could do a bit more to make this place more appealing, too. More xeriscaping, a fresh coat of paint, getting rid of business signage that looks like it’s from the 70s. Getting a Mall, and a few really nice pools. Some sort of entertainment facility… Casino, Amusement Park, whatever!
I know this all costs $$, in all my TWELVE years (thanks Fred for the compliment) I watched my home town go from booming steel money, to complete “rust belt”, now to beautiful waterfront and tourist attraction. So I know it can happen in just a few years.
dailyindependent
September 19, 2007
Missy, how does one go about e-mailing you?
Johnny D.
September 19, 2007
Ya know, Missy, when the other depots got on the closure list, there was much of the same talk. “I’m not moving down there to Jacksonville. No way, no how. Period.”
Well, when push came to shove, guess what? They moved. It’s one thing to say you’re gonna quit, but quite another to actually do it. I was just talking to a guy today at work that was one of those. When the Norfolk Depot was put on the closure list he swore he wasn’t coming down here to Florida. He came.
So, I think most of what you hear, based on my BRAC experience, is just talk. Sure, absolutely, some people will not come, but most will. And like most of the folks that came to Jacksonville, they’ll adjust and adapt. Most of the people that came here after the 1995 BRAC, now consider this home and would never return to their former state.
I see your point regarding home values. Unfortunately for those folks, it will be a LONG time before they see a recovery in that market sector. Let’s face it, the market was way, way overblown. It became ridiculous. People were using their houses as piggy banks. Overbuying and speculating — it was bound to correct. Besides, these people should see some relief just by moving to China Lake. They’ll get more house for their dollar. It works both ways. They’ll be a seller, and we all know it’s a buyer’s market. But, once they do sell, they’ll be buyers in an excellent position. Relativity comes to mind.
One last thing. As I said, I know a LOT of people that moved here from Alameda, Pensacola and Norfolk after BRAC ‘95 closed their facilities. They made out financially. Their leave they used to find houses here and move was all restored, and those that had more than 240 hours carry-over, were allowed to carry it on the books for years afterwards. The government paid their real estate selling costs, put them up in hotels, etc. It was a good deal if you kept a good attitude and took advantage of the opportunities that were available.
That doesn’t make leaving friends and family behind any easier. It is tough. And as I noted above, some people got divorced, some committed suicide, etc. It’s not easy.
Johnny D.
September 20, 2007